Law type:
Location: City of Minneapolis
Title: Title 20 - ZONING CODE
Chapter: CHAPTER 543. - ON-PREMISES SIGNS
Article: ARTICLE IV. - SPECIFIC SIGN STANDARDS BY ZONING DISTRICTS
Code: 543.210. - Specific sign standards.
Law type:
(a) In general. All signs shall conform to the applicable standards of Table 543-1, Specific Standards for Signs in the Residence and OR1 Districts, Table 543-2, Specific Standards for Signs in the OR2, OR3 and Commercial Districts, Table 543-3, Specific Standards for Signs in the Downtown Districts, and Table 543-4, Specific Standards for Signs in the Industrial Districts, and all other applicable regulations of this chapter.
(b)
Abbreviations. For purposes of Tables 543-1, 543-2, 543-3 and 543-4, “sq. ft.” shall mean square feet, and “ft.” shall mean feet.
(c)
References to primary building wall. For purposes of Tables 543-1, 543-2, 543-3 and 543-4, references to “primary building wall” shall be measured in linear feet.
(d)
Sign location. Except where otherwise allowed in this ordinance, signs shall be placed on a primary building wall.
Table 543-1 Specific Standards for Signs in the Residence and OR1 Districts
| Use | Sign Standards |
| RESIDENTIAL USES | |
| Dwellings | |
| Single and two-family dwelling Multiple-family dwelling, three (3) and four (4) units One (1) to four (4) dwelling units as part of a mixed use building |
One (1) nonilluminated, flat wall identification sign per dwelling unit not exceeding one (1) sq. ft. in area. Maximum height of fourteen (14) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. |
| Multiple-family dwelling, five (5) units or more on a lot between zero (0) and 9,999 sq. ft. | One (1) nonilluminated wall identification sign not exceeding sixteen (16) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. |
| Multiple-family dwelling, five (5) units or more on a lot between 10,000 and 43,559 sq. ft. | One (1) nonilluminated wall identification sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. |
| Multiple-family dwelling, five (5) units or more on a lot of 43,560 sq. ft. or more | One (1) wall identification sign not exceeding forty-eight (48) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. In addition, one (1) monument sign 1 not exceeding thirty-two (32) sq. ft. in area and eight (8) ft. in height. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be illuminated. |
| Cluster development | As approved by CUP |
| Planned unit development | As approved by CUP |
| Congregate Living | |
| Community residential facility serving six (6) or fewer persons | One (1) nonilluminated, flat wall identification sign not exceeding one (1) sq. ft. in area. Maximum height of fourteen (14) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. |
| Community residential facility serving seven (7) to thirty-two (32) persons Faculty house Fraternity or sorority Hospitality residence Residential hospice Supportive housing |
One (1) nonilluminated wall identification sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. |
| Board and care/Nursing home/Assisted living | One (1) wall identification sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. In addition, one (1) monument sign 1 not exceeding thirty-two (32) sq. ft. in area and eight (8) ft. in height. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be illuminated. |
| INSTITUTIONAL AND PUBLIC USES | |
| Educational Facilities | |
| Early childhood learning center | One (1) wall identification sign not exceeding sixteen (16) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. In addition, one (1) monument sign 1 not exceeding sixteen (16) sq. ft. in area and six (6) ft. in height. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be illuminated. |
| School, grades K—12 | One (1) wall identification sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) sq. ft. per block face. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. In addition, one (1) monument sign 1 not exceeding thirty-two (32) sq. ft. in area and eight (8) ft. in height. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be a dynamic changeable copy sign. The dynamic changeable copy sign portion of the sign shall not exceed sixteen (16) sq. ft. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be illuminated. |
| Preschool | One (1) wall identification sign not exceeding sixteen (16) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. In addition, one (1) monument sign 1 not exceeding sixteen (16) sq. ft. in area and six (6) ft. in height. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be illuminated. |
| Social, Cultural, Charitable and Recreational Facilities | |
| Athletic field Cemetery Golf course |
One (1) wall identification sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. In addition, one (1) monument sign 1 not exceeding thirty-two (32) sq. ft. in area and eight (8) ft. in height. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be illuminated. |
| Community Garden | One (1) nonilluminated identification sign not exceeding eight (8) sq. ft. Maximum height of six (6) ft. |
| Developmental achievement center | One (1) nonilluminated, flat wall identification sign not exceeding sixteen (16) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. |
| Educational arts center | One (1) wall identification sign not exceeding sixteen (16) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. In addition, one (1) monument sign 1 not exceeding sixteen (16) sq. ft. in area and six (6) ft. in height. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be illuminated. |
| Library Park |
One (1) wall identification sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. In addition, one (1) monument sign 1 not exceeding thirty-two (32) sq. ft. in area and eight (8) ft. in height. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be a dynamic changeable copy sign. The dynamic changeable copy sign portion of the sign shall not exceed sixteen (16) sq. ft. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be illuminated. Dynamic changeable copy signs shall be allowed accessory to parks only when located on the same zoning lot as an enclosed recreation center. |
| Theater, indoor, provided live performances only | One (1) wall identification sign not exceeding sixteen (16) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. In addition, one (1) monument sign 1 not exceeding sixteen (16) sq. ft. in area and six (6) ft. in height. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be illuminated. |
| Religious Institutions | |
| Place of assembly on a lot less than 20,000 sq. ft. | One (1) wall identification sign not exceeding sixteen (16) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. In addition, one (1) monument sign 1 not exceeding sixteen (16) sq. ft. in area and six (6) ft. in height. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be a dynamic changeable copy sign. The dynamic changeable copy sign portion of the sign shall not exceed sixteen (16) sq. ft. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be illuminated. |
| Place of assembly on a lot of 20,000 sq. ft. or more | One (1) wall identification sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. In addition, one (1) monument sign 1 not exceeding thirty-two (32) sq. ft. in area and eight (8) ft. in height. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be a dynamic changeable copy sign. The dynamic changeable copy sign portion of the sign shall not exceed sixteen (16) sq. ft. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be illuminated. |
| COMMERCIAL USES | |
| Bed and breakfast home | One (1) nonilluminated, flat wall identification sign not exceeding four (4) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs. |
| Child care center | One (1) wall identification sign not exceeding sixteen (16) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. In addition, one (1) monument sign 1 not exceeding sixteen (16) sq. ft. in area and six (6) ft. in height. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be illuminated. |
| Clinic, medical or dental | One (1) wall identification sign not exceeding sixteen (16) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. In addition, one (1) monument sign 1 not exceeding sixteen (16) sq. ft. in area and six (6) ft. in height. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be illuminated. |
| Market garden | One (1) nonilluminated identification sign not exceeding eight (8) sq. ft. Maximum height of six (6) ft. |
| Nursery or green house | One (1) wall identification sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. In addition, one (1) monument sign 1 not exceeding thirty-two (32) sq. ft. in area and eight (8) ft. in height. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be illuminated. |
| Offices | One (1) wall identification sign not exceeding sixteen (16) sq. ft. Maximum height of twenty (20) ft. or top of wall, whichever is less. On a corner lot, two (2) such signs per building. In addition, one (1) monument sign 1 not exceeding sixteen (16) sq. ft. in area and six (6) ft. in height. Either the wall sign or the monument sign 1 , but not both, may be illuminated. |
| PUBLIC SERVICES AND UTILITIES | As approved by CUP |
1 Monument signs, where allowed, may be located in a required front or corner side yard but shall be no closer than ten (10) feet from the nearest residence or office residence property line.
Table 543-2 Specific Standards for Signs in the OR2, OR3 and Commercial Districts
1 Where a building contains a nonresidential use above the ground floor, one (1) sign for such use not higher than thirty-four (34) ft. shall be allowed.
Table 543-3 Specific Standards for Signs in the Downtown Districts
1 The Downtown Entertainment Area sign regulations shall govern all uses that have their main public entrance facing Hennepin Avenue within the following locations: (a) The north side of Hennepin Avenue between Tenth Street and Fifth Street, and (b) The south side of Hennepin Avenue between Ninth Street and Sixth Street.
Table 543-4 Specific Standards for Signs in the Industrial Districts
| Industrial Districts Sign Standards | |
| Signs Attached to Buildings | |
| Size Allocation | One (1) sq. ft. of signage per one (1) ft. of primary building wall if a freestanding or roof sign is on the same zoning lot. If there is no freestanding or roof sign on the same zoning lot, one and one-half (1.5) sq. ft. of signage for each one (1) ft. of primary building wall. Sign area based upon one (1) primary building wall shall not be placed on any other wall. |
| Minimum sign area guaranteed for a ground floor nonresidential use | 30 sq. ft. |
| Maximum number of signs | No limit within size allocation |
| Maximum area per sign, except projecting signs | 180 sq. ft. |
| Maximum area per projecting sign | 20 sq. ft. |
| Lighting of signs | Yes, but no backlit signs. |
| Maximum height of signs | 34 ft. |
| Types of signs attached to buildings allowed | |
| Wall signs | Yes |
| Projecting signs | Yes, but a projecting sign shall not extend outward from the building more than four (4) ft. |
| Awning, canopy and marquee signs | Yes, but no backlit awning or canopy signs. |
| Dynamic changeable copy signs | Yes, see Section 543.330. |
| Dynamic signs | Yes, see Section 543.340. |
| Window signs | Yes |
| Roof signs | Yes, see Section 543.425 |
| Freestanding Signs | |
| Size allocation | One (1) sq. ft. of signage per one (1) ft. of frontage, subject to the sign area limitations. Where there is more than one (1) frontage, sign area shall be based upon the frontage toward which the sign is oriented. Sign area based upon one (1) frontage shall not be placed on another frontage. |
| Maximum number of signs (See also Section 543.360) | 1 per 600 ft. of primary frontage or fraction thereof, but not more than two (2), and 1 per secondary frontage of 600 ft. or more. |
| Maximum area per sign | 80 sq. ft. |
| Lighting of signs | Yes, but no backlit signs. |
| Maximum height of signs | 8 ft. except pole signs shall not exceed 24 feet |
| When not allowed | A freestanding sign shall not be allowed if existing signs attached to buildings on the same zoning lot exceed one (1) sq. ft. of signage for each one (1) ft. of primary building wall. |
| Location restriction | A freestanding sign may be located in a required front or corner side yard not exceeding eight (8) ft. in height and shall be no closer than ten (10) ft. from the nearest residence or office residence district boundary |
| Types of freestanding signs allowed | |
| Monument Signs | Yes |
| Pole Signs | No |
| Dynamic Changeable Copy Signs | Yes, see Section 543.330. |
| Dynamic Signs | Yes, see Section 543.340. |
| Service Area Canopy Signs | Yes, see Section 543.430. |
( Ord. No. 2018-035 , § 4, 8-3-2018)
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